by Pandora Pine
Riordan nodded. “It does.”
“Plus, by being home, it saves you from getting a sitter and putting the girls off their schedule. Are you worried that he’s going to push things too far, too fast since you’re in private rather than in public?”
Was that what he was afraid of? “I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Do you want to spend more time getting to know him?” That smile was back in Cole’s voice.
What did Riordan have to lose? He was just saying yesterday that he needed more friends. If nothing else, Faulk could be that for him. “Yeah, I do.” There. That wasn’t so hard to admit.
“Faulk is a good man. He isn’t going to jump you the second he walks through the door. He’s the kind of guy who’s looking to find his place in the world. He got out of Major Crimes and into Cold Case because he was looking for a less dangerous job that would be more family friendly. Ronan O’Mara has been his mentor in the department. I know he’s been spending a lot of time with their new baby. He loves kids.”
Riordan had seen that yesterday first hand and on Saturday when all the kids at the barbecue had flocked to him as if his pockets had been filled with candy. They hadn’t been. “It sounds like you think this dinner with Faulk is a good idea.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters what you think. Do you want to spend some quiet time getting to know a nice man who obviously thinks the world of you and your girls or do you think its too soon for that kind of friendship?”
He guessed that was the real question. Riordan had already admitted he needed friends of his own. Spending time with everyone on Saturday had been a good first step in that direction. He’d known the moment Faulk touched his hand that this had the potential to be more than just a friendship. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for everything yet, but I do know that I like Faulk and I want to get to know him better.”
“There’s your answer.” Cole snickered.
“Um, Cole…” Shit, Riordan couldn’t believe he was about to ask this.
“Yes, Riordan,” Cole teased, as if he knew what Riordan was about to ask.
“Are you, um, seeing anything about this? Me and Faulk?” Oh, God! He’d just asked a psychic about his future. What the hell was wrong with him?
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Riordan. This is a bigger decision for you than it would be for someone else because of what you’ve been through and because you have Isla and Macy to think about.” Cole took a deep breath. “There’s no better man than Faulk. As for what I see, you’re going to have a nice time if you say yes.”
“If I say yes?”
“Nothing is predestined. You have freewill. With that, anything can happen. Personally, I think the universe brought the three of you and Faulk into each other’s spheres for a reason.”
Riordan was beginning to think the same thing. “Thanks, Cole. I really appreciate your advice.”
“Anytime! Laurel’s been asking about a sleepover, so whenever you feel like dropping Isla by for a night, just let us know. Cassie and I would love to have her.”
“Isla would love that too.”
“Let me know how things go tonight. Later, man.” Cole clicked off the line.
Well, Riordan guessed Cole gave a prophecy anyway. He looked at the phone in his hand and flipped back to the hours old text from Faulkner. [How does Thai sound?]
Setting the phone down, Riordan turned back to his computer and the work he’d been neglecting all afternoon. He was planning the museum’s summer exhibit and had some emails to return about paintings he was looking to acquire on loan from other museums for his “Summer on the Coast” exhibit. So many famous artists did what others did and vacationed in the Bay State during the summer. Riordan was hoping to put together an exhibition of those pieces that exemplified summer in Massachusetts.
Just as he was opening the first email needing his attention, his phone dinged with an incoming message from Faulkner.
[Sounds perfect! :)]
Now that his stomach didn’t feel so tight, Riordan had to admit Faulk was right. It did sound perfect.
10
Faulkner
He’d used too much cologne, Faulkner was sure of it. He wanted to use just a hint of his favorite scent, but now that he was stuck in the truck marinating in his own odor, it was obvious he’d used more than he intended. Shouldn’t he have gone nose blind to the stuff by now?
Hitting the power-window buttons, all four of them rolled down. Thankfully, he was driving through the city streets of Salem at thirty-five miles-per-hour instead of on the highway at double that speed. The temperatures were in the twenties and he was already freezing his ass off.
Faulk was hoping this was a first date of sorts but he didn’t want to be too pushy if Riordan wasn’t ready to take that step. Showing up smelling like he bathed in aftershave was definitely being too pushy.
Turning onto Riordan’s street, Faulk felt the butterflies in his stomach kick into overdrive. It had been so long since he’d been on an actual date. He hoped he remembered how to do it. Well, not it. How to be a man on a date with another man, to be more precise. JFC, he was losing his mind.
He slowed the truck as the GPS voice on his phone started chirping that his destination was on the left. Indeed, it was. Riordan’s modest colonial looked black in the darkness, but it had a spotlight pointed at the front door. He could see Riordan’s SUV in the driveway. He liked the house. It looked like a nice place to raise a family.
He parked the truck and grabbed the bags he’d brought with him. One held a bottle of wine for them to share with dinner. The other held something for Isla and Macy. He was going to miss not seeing them tonight and he wanted them to know he’d been thinking about them.
Even though it was freezing outside, Faulk’s palms were sweaty. Shit, he hadn’t been this nervous since his first date with Chris Prior back in high school. He’d been so nervous that he’d called Chris by the wrong name when they’d been making out in the car later that night. Coincidentally, that first date with Chris had also been Faulk’s last with his hunky classmate.
He rang the doorbell praying tonight would be more successful than that night fifteen years ago.
“Hi,” Riordan greeted when he opened the door. “Come in.”
“Hey, Riordan.” Faulk bit his tongue. He was about to tell Riordan how great he looked tonight. His date was wearing worn jeans and a soft-looking blue sweater. Faulk had the urge to run his fingers down it to see if it really was as soft as it looked.
“What’s in the bags?” Riordan pointed to what he was carrying.
“I brought a bottle of Pinot Gris for us to share and I got the girls a couple of things.”
“You did?” Riordan looked curious.
“I’ll miss not seeing them tonight, so I went by the Hallmark store and they had the cutest stuffed frogs dressed as ballerinas.” It had been love at first sight for Faulk. He’d grabbed two of the super soft frogs and brought them to the register where he found little bags of gummy frogs, so he’d grabbed two of those as well. “Take a look.” He handed the bag to Riordan.
Riordan’s hand brushed past Faulkner’s. “Oh, God, you’re frozen solid. Why are you so cold?”
Faulk felt himself blush. Well, he guessed he wasn’t going to be cold anymore. “Uh, I had the windows down in the truck.”
“Why?” Riordan looked stunned.
“I might have put too much cologne on.” Faulk grimaced.
Riordan’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer to Faulkner. They were only an inch apart. He stood up on tiptoes, his hands coming to rest on Faulk’s broad shoulders. He delicately sniffed. “You smell perfect.”
Jesus, save me… Riordan was so close. So warm. So here. Faulk had no idea where he found the control to keep his hands to himself. He cleared his throat. “Good. I didn’t want to be one of those guys who bathed in it.” Faulk was staring down at Riordan the entire time he was rambling on. His eyes were glowing and looked almost surprised. This piqued
Faulk’s curiosity. What had him so surprised? Faulk couldn’t wait to find out.
Riordan’s hands were still resting on his shoulders. If he reached out and took his hips, it would be like a middle school dance.
Riordan shook his head, pulling back from Faulkner, as if he realized they were within kissing distance. He peered into the bag. “Ha, these are so cute.” He pulled out the ballerina frogs, which were about twelve inches tall. “The girls are going to love them. I’ll put them at their places at the table so they’ll see them in the morning.”
Riordan motioned for Faulk to follow him through the family room into the dining room. The whole house had an open floor plan with a large stone fireplace, which was what separated the living room from the family room. There was a staircase at the front door. “This is a great house.”
“Thanks. It’s got four bedrooms and a hot tub.” Riordan shrugged. “The fourth bedroom is a playroom now.”
Faulk understood what Riordan was saying. That room was meant for baby number three. He watched while Riordan pulled out the stuffed frogs and set them against the backs of Isla and Macy’s chairs. He also set the candy next to the toys. “What thoughtful gifts. They’ll love them.” Riordan was smiling. “Here’s the menu. Have you been to Lotus Blossom before?”
Faulk nodded. “Their spring rolls are the stuff of legend.”
“I love those too and their lo mein,” Riordan agreed.
“Sounds like we’ve got a plan then.” Faulk reached into his back pocket to pull out his phone.
“What kind of lo mein?” Riordan asked.
Faulk had a feeling they were on the same wavelength. “The kind you like. Shrimp.”
Riordan’s mouth fell open. “How’d you know?”
Faulk smiled. “Lucky guess. Do you want to get an order of the shrimp Dim Sum with the ginger dipping sauce?”
“Those are my favorite. I’ve been trying to get Isla to try them, but she’s picky sometimes. Stephen was good at getting her to try new things.” Riordan looked stricken. His mouth snapped shut.
Faulk reached out for his hand. “It’s okay to say Stephen’s name and talk about him when we’re spending time together. He’s a part of you and part of the girls. Nothing that happens between us will ever change or diminish that. No one who loves you the way you deserve to be loved would ever ask you to put those wonderful memories aside.” Faulk gave his hand a squeeze. “Now, I’m going to call our order in, but when I’m done, I want to hear all about how Stephen got Isla to eat.” Grabbing the menu, Faulk dialed the restaurant’s number and placed their order.
“Okay, we’re all set. Food will be here in half an hour.”
Riordan was in the kitchen grabbing plates and silverware, which he handed to Faulkner. He plucked two wine glasses from the rack hanging over the kitchen island along with the corkscrew.
“Are these seats good?” Faulk noticed Isla and Macy sat next to each other and he was indicating the seats next to each other, but across the table from where the girls sat.
“Sure, these are fine. I usually sit here.” Riordan indicated the seat across from Macy.
Faulk snorted. “Doesn’t that set you up for some messy meals being all the way across the table.”
“Macy’s a disaster no matter where I sit. I just clean up when she’s done and hope she got enough in her belly to make it through the night.”
“Macy seems the sort to let you know when she needs something.”
“True.” Riordan grabbed the bottle of white wine and started to open it. “This is a great bottle. You’ve got taste, Faulk.”
“You promised to tell me how Stephen got Isla to try new things.” Faulk really wanted to hear the story. He liked the way Riordan’s face brightened when he talked about his first husband.
Riordan took his time opening the bottle and pouring both glasses. He handed the second one to Faulk. “Whenever Stephen would eat something Isla had never tried before, he wouldn’t even bother offering her a bite. He knew her answer would be to make a sour face and shake her head no. So, he’d take a bite and moan out loud and tell me how yummy it was. Then, he’d hold out a bite on his fork to me and I’d repeat the process, telling him how good it was. Stephen would go back to eating and would occasionally say how delicious it was.”
“Let me guess,” Faulk laughed, taking a sip of wine, “Isla would feel left out and ask if she could try it too.”
Riordan grinned. “Yeah. Sometimes she’d like it and sometimes she wouldn’t, but she always tried a bite because Stephen made it seem like so much fun.”
Faulk picked up his glass, holding it up toward Riordan. “To Stephen.”
Nodding, Riordan clinked their glasses together. His eyes were a bit misty. “How was your day?”
“I spent part of the morning with the prettiest redheaded girl.” Faulk flipped to the pictures on his phone and slid it to Riordan. Tennyson had snapped a couple of good ones this morning.
“She’s so cute. Were you at Ronan’s to see the baby or to visit your boss?”
“A little of both since Ronan is still on paternity leave. I visit him on Monday mornings to let him know what’s going on with my cases. I give him the rundown while holding Everly. I love me some Everly time.”
Riordan wore a wistful look. “There’s nothing better than babies when they’re that small. They love being cuddled and you can hold them for hours. I did that with both of my girls. I wanted them to bond with me. I never wanted them out of my arms.”
“Ten and Ronan are like that too. They only hand the baby over to me because my visits keep Ronan from getting happy feet and wanting to go into the office.”
“Does he really want to go back to work or do you think he’s trying to keep up appearances? I love my job at the museum, but when Isla was handed to me, I never wanted to be anything but a father ever again.”
Faulk loved the sound of that. “I think he misses the social aspect of the job, working with us and Captain Fitzgibbon. He likes solving the mysteries of the cases. He definitely loves being home with Ten and the baby. Ten’s more like you in that he just wants to be Everly’s father, but it’s a little more complicated for him.”
Riordan’s brow knit together. “What do you mean?”
“The way Ten explained it to me was that spirits know he’s a conduit. They know he can see and hear them. If he doesn’t work and pass along messages, they get frustrated and then angry with him after a certain period of time.”
“Are you serious?”
Faulk nodded. “There was a time two years back when Ten lost the use of his gift. The spirits wanting to pass along messages didn’t understand why he was unwilling to do so for them. They got a little rough with him.”
“Rough? How? They’re spirits.” Riordan looked confused and concerned at the same time.
“Yes, but they can cause physical damage if they have a mind to do so. Thankfully, it all worked out in the end. Ten got his gift back and he learned how to make himself unavailable to spirits from time to time. His plan is to start doing limited phone reading for clients while Ronan is still home and then he’s going to bring the baby to work with him when he goes back.”
“Huh.” Riordan wore a wistful look. “I wish I could have done that with my babies. Strapped them to my chest and walked into the museum with them.”
Faulkner laughed. “I can’t imagine that would have gone over well if Macy had spewed all over the Childe Hassam Isles of Shoals paintings.”
“You know Hassam?” Riordan’s eyes glowed.
“I do, but for nefarious reasons.” Faulk winked at him.
“Oh, were you investigating the art heist at the Piedmont Gallery in Boston?”
“I was, but from the other side of it.”
“What do you mean the other side?” Riordan looked confused.
“I was working undercover at the time and had to pose as this rich bitch sort looking to buy the stolen paintings. I was able to recover all but two of the
stolen works.”
Riordan’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t remember hearing your name when the arrests were made and the case was solved.”
“That would have blown my cover. The BPD has to be very careful with undercover cops, especially in this day and age of social media.”
“Is that why you got out?” Riordan rested his chin in the cup of his hand. He seemed to be studying Faulkner.
“No.” Faulk debated if he should tell Riordan the real reason, he didn’t want to risk scaring him off. On the other hand, he didn’t want to lie to him either. “I moved to Cold Case because I was looking to slow down a bit. I wanted a steady nine to five job without so many bullets flying at my head. I want to settle down and…” Faulk trailed off. He wasn’t as brave as he thought.
“You want to fall in love and have a family. You can say it out loud.” Riordan’s voice was matter of fact with no hint of emotion.
Damn… Riordan was so hard to read. “Yeah, those are the things I want for my future. Cold Case was a good first step for me.”
The ringing doorbell stopped whatever Riordan was about to say next. They walked to the door together, with Riordan taking the bag of food, while Faulk signed the credit card slip. When he got back to the table, Riordan was unpacking the food.
“This is much more than we agreed on.” Riordan raised an eyebrow.
“I ordered a couple of things I wanted you to try.”
“Oh, you did, now?” Riordan wore a grin.
“Am I going to have to do the old airplane trick to get you to eat up?” Faulk smirked before zooming his hand around like a plane.
Riordan caught his hand and pulled him closer. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I’ll be a big boy and try it myself.” Riordan lifted a hand to the side of Faulk’s face. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Faulkner shut his eyes for a moment, letting the heat of Riordan’s skin melt into his own. “Me too. When I didn’t hear back from you, I was worried that you were going to say no.” Faulk reluctantly moved back from Riordan’s touch to pull his chair out for him.